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Ruth 1:1-2
New Catholic Bible
Ruth 1:1-2
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 1[a]
Naomi’s Life in Moab. 1 In the days of the judges,[b] a famine broke out in the land. A certain man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the land of Moab along with his wife and his two sons. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech and his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They traveled to the land of Moab and dwelt there.
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- Ruth 1:1 The names seem to have been chosen as descriptions of the individuals: Mahlon (weakness) and Chilion (consumption) were destined to die young. Ruth means “the friend” (the companion); Orpah means “she who turned her back.” The names thus sum up the destiny of the family. There is no reference here to the bad reputation of Moabite women (Num 25:1).
- Ruth 1:1 In the days of the judges: the author introduces the Book of Ruth by referring to a time in Israelite history that was marked by idolatry and sin. Naomi and Ruth’s story of selfless commitment to God and each other is a shining light in otherwise dark circumstances.
